Hema had been part of Junoon’s classes earlier, but now as an observer, she feels different. For the first time, she has seen the sessions happen rather than being a student of the sessions. She expresses her experiences and observations from her time on the field.
From being a student for two years at Junoon, I have come across a few different practices here at Dhasa and got a chance to take a closer and deeper look into the practice sessions. I still remember Ms. Mythili emphasizing every movement we do and its impact on our body in the long term; however, it is much clearer as I observed the girls practicing here. From a third person’s point of view, the impact is greater and the vision is clearer. I have observed three levels of practice—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Beginners have just started their practice this year; advanced have been with Junoon for about 4 years now. With this huge difference in practice, knowledge, and abilities, the advanced batch was able to guide and correct the younger ones. The holistic learning system followed at Junoon is modelled by every member of Junoon – a complete individual.
At Junoon, we follow The Junoon Gurukul method of learning and teaching. Here, girls (and women) engage in various mediums of learning and relearning. Learning from observations, demonstrations, reflections, regular practice, cross-training to train and condition the body, yoga to calm the inner self, and by teaching the younger ones till they learn and are better. In a Gurukul, the students not only learn the art form but also take the chance to closely observe their Guru—their teaching styles, lifestyles, and activities. Every observation and every change is a learning experience for the students. Here in Dhasa, the advanced batch transforms and practices to be trainers. This approach is called the “Train the Trainer” method. Ms. Mythili trains 3 students (Hemali, Hetal, and Dharti) on a regular basis along with their regular practice with the whole group. The three students take the lead in planning and conducting practice sessions for the 2 younger batches. From their experience, they are aware of what to teach to which batch and in what way. Hemali sits down with the younger girl in front, places her hands in the form of feet in Bharatanatyam, and plays the beats with her hands, explaining and guiding the girl slowly and gently till the time she understands and performs the step with minimal mistakes. Hetal extends her hands to pull back the shoulder of the younger one, correcting her posture. Dharti speaks in Gujarati, clearly explaining the pace and sequence of the steps as the other trainees demonstrate them. Similarly, the trainees try to resemble their Guru and show the intensity of Junoon sessions to the younger ones. In all this, they never forget to smile and hear what the others have to say.
In terms of knowledge related to Classical Dance, the girls go through an intense practice session every day. They observe experts in videos and try to follow their practices, like the Sleek Technique methodology, Ballet barre, and Bharatanatyam practice, along with extension stretches, weight training, and running drills for their bodily development and endurance. After which they reflect and write about their day in their diaries. Every practice helps the girls perform and practice better, and longer. This way, the girls train their body, mind, and the art itself in a complete manner. This learning approach is holistic because it starts with Guru and ends with Guru. The girls learn from their Guru and become Gurus in the process of teaching the art to the younger ones. The legacy is maintained.
It was quite different from our Junoon classes. Many of us who were part of Junoon were part of many other things like sports, dance, and martial arts, where our bodies were trained. In Junoon’s classes, we listen, observe, practice, and reflect, but it was less intensive than the sessions here. It is the case considering many other external factors that impacted our practice schedule. One major difference is that we had more theory classes and consumed more content from external experts through online sessions, whereas here, the girls focus more on rigorous physical practice.
Upon reviewing the classes, I believe that not only art education but also all other subjects and languages ought to be taught and learned in a comparable way to guarantee comprehensive understanding and practical application of the knowledge. Isn’t it remarkable to acquire comprehensive knowledge about a subject you are passionate about in a single location? One would not need to travel to various places to achieve mastery in a particular area, but rather learn it from remaining in the same place and yet, traveling across the vast spectrum of interdependent knowledge and subject areas.
As a complete third person who experienced Junoon classes and is now observing sessions, I have realised that it is difficult to manage studies, fitness, and an arts curriculum with time for self. There are plenty of other factors like – school timings, class timings, negotiations with teachers, availability of equipment and many other trivial matters that hugely impact the practice sessions. These tight and difficult times inspire and teach the students (youngsters) important life lessons. The girls that are thriving and showing deep interest in Classical Dance show up to practices everyday despite their other list of duties. The girls here are eager to learn, and become performers.
Although the temperature fluctuates with the changing seasons, it is the individuals who create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The community is heartwarming, modest, and exceptionally compassionate. This setting is ideal for a Dancer to reside, rejuvenate, and develop themselves personally. This village is like a large family, the girls are delightful to converse with, the women listen attentively and treat you as one of their own, and the men ensure that there are obstacles. The environment significantly enhances the learning experience, making it more authentic and enjoyable. It truly feels like home when Daksha aunty inquires about our preferences, browses YouTube, and prepares it for us. Despite the language barrier, I managed to communicate with and comprehend the locals; this would not have been feasible or as easy if the people here were not calm and welcoming.
From the viewpoint of an observer, I can assertively state that I was able to witness the entire sequence of sessions and the events occurring behind the scenes or overlooked transformations in the girls here as they express themselves candidly and exhibit joy. I gained a comprehensive understanding of how the foundation at Dhasa operates, characterized by smiles, support, and enthusiasm.
When we first embarked on our journey with Junoon, we recognized that Ms. Mythili was a vast reservoir of experience and knowledge, deeply committed to creating a lasting legacy of Classical arts. Her enthusiasm had led her to us, resulting in the formation of three additional batches over the span of 4-5 years, with more to come. The dedicated team at Junoon, with its diverse specializations, is continually striving to enhance the experiences of aspiring dancers while consistently bringing in more experts to broaden the scope of learning and opportunities available to the girls through various collaborations. Reflecting on the passion exhibited by a student a few years ago and now collaborating with the team to further the foundation’s objectives fills me with excitement and joy. I have always held a strong passion for both learning and teaching, and this platform has provided me with the chance to contribute in that capacity. I am committed to giving my utmost as a member of the team.
Written By:
Hema Devika,
Business Development and Social Impact Strategy,
The Junoon Foundation,India.
This is junoon
Comments